Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. According to Alzheimers.gov, more than 6 million Americans, many 65 and older, live with the disease. Alzheimer’s develops over many years, even decades. Public health professionals have been working to address the risk factors for dementia among vulnerable populations, which include advancing early detection, diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia, improving safety and quality of care for people living with dementia, and providing better support to caregivers.

At the state level, the Indiana Department of Health has an Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Resource Center with helpful facts and resources for the healthcare community and families. According to the Greater Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 121,000 Hoosiers are living with the disease. The non-profit organization provides support services, care options, and education for families and caregivers across 73 counties in Indiana. To learn more about the disease, please explore the National Institute on Aging’s Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: What You Need to Know website for literature on the disease, understanding memory loss, and ways to reduce one’s risk of dementia. Wear purple to raise awareness and spread the word about Alzheimer’s and other related dementia conditions.